WASHINGTON (Agencies): Lt. Gen. Dan Caine has been confirmed as the 22nd Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff by the Senate, marking a historic milestone as the first Air National Guardsman to assume the nation’s highest uniformed military position. The confirmation, announced early April 11, was approved on a bipartisan vote of 60-25.
Caine succeeds Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., who was dismissed from the role by President Donald Trump in February. As part of his confirmation, the Senate granted Caine a fourth star, making him the first three-star officer to ascend directly to the chairmanship and the first retired officer in decades to return to service for the role.
An F-16 pilot early in his career, Caine brings an unconventional and diverse background to the position. His experience includes serving as a White House fellow with the Department of Agriculture, policy director for the White House Homeland Security Council, commander of a Joint Special Operations Task Force in Iraq, and director of the Pentagon’s Special Access Programs Office. He has also held roles as the Pentagon liaison to the CIA and Deputy Commanding General for Special Operations at U.S. Central Command.
During his confirmation hearing on April 1, Caine highlighted his unconventional career as an asset during challenging times. “Yes, Senators, I acknowledge that I’m an unconventional nominee. … For many Americans, I’m an unknown leader,” he said. “Yet, these are unconventional times.”
Caine steps into the role as the Pentagon faces global crises, including Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, Iran-backed Houthi rebels harassing shipping vessels in the Red Sea, and China’s aggressive military maneuvers around Taiwan. As Chairman, Caine will serve as the senior military adviser to President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, though he will not have operational control over troops.
Caine has pledged to remain apolitical in his role, focusing on accelerating the military’s adoption of advanced technologies to maintain superiority. He has also voiced support for nuclear modernization efforts and emphasized the need to rebuild electronic warfare capabilities.
Despite the unusual circumstances surrounding his nomination—Brown was the first Chairman dismissed since Gen. Peter Pace in 2007—Caine’s confirmation received bipartisan support, including votes from more than a dozen Democrats and unanimous backing from Republicans present.
Defense industry leaders have expressed optimism about Caine’s leadership. Aerospace Industries Association President Eric Fanning praised his commitment to improving the Department of Defense’s adaptability and acquisition processes, stating, “Lieutenant General Caine’s leadership will be an asset to our national security as we seek to deter adversaries and deliver peace through strength.”
Caine’s confirmation marks a pivotal moment for the U.S. military, as he prepares to guide the Joint Chiefs through complex global challenges and ensure the nation’s defense remains strong and secure.